Standing out in a roster full of stars is already a feat.
And Jude Garcia consistently shines in Criss Cross' drive for a return trip to the 2024 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference finals.
Garcia served once again as the focal point on offense, dropping a 25-point masterpiece to tow the King Crunchers past Cignal, 25-20, 22-25, 25-12, 26-24, in their crucial semifinal encounter on Sunday night at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Displaying his scoring prowess with 21 attacks, two blocks, and two aces, the 26-year-old spiker took over late in the fourth set, allowing Criss Cross to claw back into the match and eventually extend its winning streak to eight.
Garcia and company also avenged their lone loss in the tournament by snatching one against their preliminary round tormentor.
"Ang mindset ko lang talaga, 'pag pumunta sa akin 'yung bola, papatayin ko talaga," said Garcia after their triumph over Cignal.
"Kasi 'yung tiwala ng teammates naman ko sa akin one hundred percent, so kailangan ko rin ibigay 'yung one hundred percent effort ko sa game."
The 2024 Open Conference MVP put the King Crunchers on the right track in reaching their second straight Spikers’ Turf finals with a 2-0 record in the round-robin semifinals after taking charge with 18 points off 13 attacks, four aces, and a block in their convincing 25-21, 25-21, 25-11 triumph over DN Steel Far Eastern University on Wednesday.
For his consistency and heroics over the HD Spikers and the Ultras, Garcia earned his third Spikers’ Turf Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of December 4 to 8.
He got the nod from print and online reporters covering the beat for the weekly honor over fellow King Cruncher and captain Ysrael Marasigan and Cignal outside hitter Louie Ramirez in the season-ending tournament streamed live and on-demand via the Pilipinas Live app and on www.spikersturf.ph.
As the Criss Cross star continued to sparkle, Garcia deflected the credit to his teammates.
"Credits din talaga sa mga teammates ko kasi tinulungan nila ako, nagtulungan kami sa dulo kaya nakuha namin 'yung game today,” he said.
Garcia and the King Crunchers will return to battle on Wednesday against the Savouge Spin Doctors, seeking to secure their entry into the winner-take-all final on December 15.
